Divertimento Opus 51 Paul Juon

The Divertimento dates from 1913. As the title implies, this is music of a lighter nature, but witty and full of surprises in its rhythms and tonal colors. The first movement, Allegretto, performs the function of an overture. It is dainty, but with two contrasting themes. The second movement, titled Intermezzo No.1, is in the nature of a chorale. The center of gravity for the work is the third movement, Fantasia, with its magnificent clarinet solo. The mood is elegiac and very free. One is reminded a bit of Rachmaninov. A second Intermezzo follows. It consists of a minuet and a trio and performs the function of a sorbet between the fish and meat dishes, in this case the Fantasia and the Russian-sounding finale, Rondino, which sounds a bit like a mini-piano concerto with orchestral accompaniment.

Inhalt / Content:

I. Allegretto
II. Intermezzo I. Moderato
III. Fantasia. Andante
IV. Intermezzo II. Tempo di Menuetto
V. Rondino. Allegro assai